MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A Milwaukee artist is using her talents to focus on childhood and playtime and how it affects development.

Kantara Souffrant was awarded a grant at Tuesday's Early Learning Symposium at the Milwaukee Art Museum.

Souffrant will travel to Georgia and will study life in that area. She'll interview people to answer the question, "What does it mean to play today?"

"Play is something we know scientifically but also instinctively it's important in the lives of children. It builds independence, it builds creativity, and it builds a foundation with how they interact with other people," said Souffrant.

Souffrant also says she enjoys working with children and seeing how children can build a vocabulary and life skills through playtime and art.